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Gallardo deems Friday his top spring outing

3/22/13: Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo tosses 5 1/3 solid innings, striking out four while allowing only one unearned run against the Cubs

By Adam McCalvy and Carrie Muskat
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MLB.com |

PHOENIX -- At this point in the spring, feeling healthy was good enough for the Brewers' Yovani Gallardo. The fact that he held the Cubs to no earned runs over five-plus innings Friday was a bonus.

"I think it was [my best outing]," Gallardo said. "Getting into the sixth for the first time, it felt a little different. Now, it's 'Go.' The next one will probably be 90 pitches or so, close to 100, and that's where you want to be at late in the spring, feeling good for that first [regular season] start."

Gallardo will pitch once more in Spring Training -- his turn comes March 26, an off-day for the team, so he may have to work in Minor League camp. He is then lined up to pitch his fourth consecutive Opening Day, this year against the Rockies on April 1 at Miller Park.

The 27-year-old is taking a circuitous route to this particular season, having missed one Brewers start with a minor groin strain before working for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.

That strange schedule could explain why Gallardo is still searching for his rhythm.

"He 'lost it' for a couple of at-bats, but pretty good overall," manager Ron Roenicke said. "Just, sometimes he gets out of rhythm and you see those three or four [pitches] in a row high. It's just unusual to see it from Yo. Two outings ago he was real good, so he's still OK."

Said Gallardo: "It was a little bit different for me this year. But I'm right where I need to be as far as pitch count and starts and things like that."

Adam McCalvy is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brew Beat, and follow him on Twitter at @AdamMcCalvy. Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.